Ariel results on extragalactic X-ray sources

Abstract

Two of the instruments on Ariel 5 are designed to study the weak high galactic latitude X-ray sources, a number of which have been identified with extragalactic objects. The survey experiment of the University of Leicester has detected sources with strengths down to 2-3 Uhuru counts. Several high latitude sources catalogued by Uhuru have apparently dropped in intensity below this level and improved positions have been obtained for other high latitude sources which support the tentative identification with optical counterparts. The pointed instrument from M. S. S. L. has a programme of spectral measurements of identified extragalactic and other weak sources at high galactic latitudes. The field of view of the M. S. S. L. experiment makes the instrument well suited to the study of the diffuse X-ray background. Results are presented from both experiments on a number of the extragalactic sources and, in particular, discussed in relation to their potential contribution to the diffuse X-ray background. Preliminary measurements of the diffuse X-ray background by the M. S. S. L. instruments are presented.